turtling

any of a large and widely distributed order (Testudines) of terrestrial or aquatic reptiles having a toothless beak and a soft body encased in a tough shell into which, in most species, the head, tail, and four legs may be withdrawn: although aquatic, esp. marine, species are usually called turtle and land species are usually called tortoise, the terms are properly interchangeable for all species

the flesh of some turtles, used as food

turtleneck

Archaic turtledove

Origin of turtle

altered, probably influenced, influence by turtle(dove) ; from French tortue, tortoise ; from Vulgar Latin an unverified form tartaruca: see tortoise